Large crowd gathers to remember Corbin Collier

As the victory bell rang, teammates, coaches and friends of Corbin Collier shared hugs and tears. They were at a memorial service for the young man who died in an accident Saturday night.

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By Kent BushAugusta Gazette

Butler County Times Gazette

By Kent BushAugusta Gazette

Posted Oct. 6, 2013 at 8:35 PM

By Kent BushAugusta Gazette

Posted Oct. 6, 2013 at 8:35 PM

As the victory bell rang, teammates, coaches and friends of Corbin Collier shared hugs and tears. They were at a memorial service for the young man who died in an accident Saturday night.

The one-vehicle accident eight miles east of Augusta claimed the life of 14-year old Corbin Collier of Goddard.

A 2004 Dodge pickup driven by Caiden Garrison, 16, of Augusta left the roadway on Highway 54 about eight miles east of Augusta at about 10 p.m.

Collier, who had just recently transferred out of the Augusta School District to Goddard, died early Sunday morning.

Two Augusta teens were also passengers in the truck when it crashed.

Keaton Favreau, a 17-year old passenger from Augusta was wearing a seatbelt. His injuries required him to be taken to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita along with Kendall Davis, an Augusta Middle School student. Davis was also wearing a seatbelt when the wreck occurred.

Garrison, was wearing a seatbelt and was not injured.

Collier was not wearing a seatbelt, according to the Kansas Highway Patrol's report.

Coach Brian Prentice told the students that even though Collier hated leaving their team and the school, his departure had given him a chance to say goodbye to all of his friends even though he didn't know something like this would happen.

Steve Spencer, pastor of the Augusta United Methodist Church told the large crowd in attendance at the service at Hillier Stadium that Collier had been raised in his faith in several local churches and church groups. He said that there was nothing that could prevent the sadness of grief but Collier's faith could bring comfort in that he was in the presence of God now.

Superintendent John Black said that the school system would do all it could Monday to help students process this loss.

"Counselors and administrators are coordinating support between the middle school and high school as they it will be needed," Black said. "Messages have been sent to the staff and AMS families. We will contact other districts for counselor support if needed."